Killer horse virus spreads in Australia

SYDNEY: Australian officials were on Saturday working to isolate potential victims after uncovering two more cases of the deadly horse-borne Hendra virus, which had now spread to a second state. Spread to humans from horses, Hendra can lead to fatal respiratory illness and has killed four of the seven people who have contracted it in Australia since it was first documented in 1994. A fresh outbreak was detected in northern Queensland state in June, with eight people undergoing tests after exposure to a sick animal. Queensland authorities said they had discovered a second case, about 70 kilometres (40 miles) from the first farm, which had forced two horses to be put down. The outbreaks were not believed to be linked. "Test results overnight have confirmed this as a case of Hendra virus infection," Biosecurity Queensland said. "There are eight other horses on the property th...